Alcohol consumption was normalized for me, something I thought I would never do to my own children but as I grew older stress and anxiety grew to be a constant in my life. My mental health struggles with a PMDD diagnoses that wasn’t properly treated worsened everything for me on the daily and my reasons for needing to drink seemed to multiple. In 2019, I finally sought help but not too far into that process life handed me an almost insurmountable blow, my brother, my best friend, my business partner, the person I felt really understood me, the person I could always vibe with, died. Along with losing him, I lost his ‘charismatic, larger than life’ wife, my adored sister-in-law. Suddenly and tragically, two of the most important people in my life were gone. I was lost. I grappled with understanding everything in my life and my drinking seemed to be the new, OLD thing I could count on. The constant. It numbed out the pain, the fears, and made it seem possible to go on living. 

So yes, Hummingbird Heart Co. brick and mortar started as an apothecary & boutique, but the soul of Hummingbird Heart Co. came to life out of what was rapidly becoming the ashes of my own life as I knew it. It was my chance to save myself. To see a light, find hope and to find a way to heal.

Towards the tail end of construction on the apothecary & boutique space, I had an idea to create 'The Marketplace' which featured 4 kombuchas on tap and a modest shelving space dedicated to functional, booze-free beverages. Unbeknownst to me (though I question if it was really unbeknownst, I suspect my idea was me figuring out a way to finally get sober and stay sober), this would prove the prototype for what is now Hummingbird Heart Co. Kombucha & Dry Elixir Bar I NA Bottle Shop I Apothecary - a literal sober sanctuary for those on their sober journey and/or just a super sweet ass spot for those wanting to live a more conscious lifestyle with, or without, the booze.

Hummingbird Heart Co. is not just for people that are sober AF or sober curious, it is for every human that needs some support along the way on their life journey. The best way I know to help fellow humans is to provide sustainably produced products that support the body, mind and spirit whether it be an adaptogenic cocktail from our menu, a functional beverage from our shelf, a sustainably handpicked piece of Palo Santo, or an elixir from our apothecary section, all things that help us stop and ask ourselves a really important question, "What do I need to sustain myself?" A conversation starter with ourselves, and others, on the often sticky, icky topic of mental health, substance abuse and actual life happiness.

Out of all of this, that is the one question I find myself asking myself almost every day, "Is what I am doing sustainable? Can I really carry this load any longer? Am I going to make it if I keep down this path?" This is crucial for my mental health, my sobriety and for my soul. I hope you might ask yourself those same questions, if it serves you as well as it has served me.

I hope to help others I may never meet. I hope that I help the people I do meet. I hope that maybe by being honest, and sharing a little about myself, I might give others strength if they need it and for them to know they are not alone. Most of all I hope for a sustainable future for my family, myself and for our beautiful mother-earth. Sending all the love, on good days and bad.

Anna B.

Hummingbird Heart Co. Founder

"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." - Howard Zinn